TIPS - Viet Nam(U23) VS China(U23)

[(Viet Nam(U23)) Strength]:
1. Viet Nam(U23) player Nguyen Dinh Bac missed the U23 Asian Cup quarterfinal start due to a groin injury but came on as a substitute in the 35th minute, contributing a goal and an assist in a 3-2 victory to reach the semifinals.
2. Viet Nam(U23) feature multiple current senior national team players. Many have played together under South Korean head coach Kim Sang Sik in the previous Asian Cup, 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and have won the AFF Championship, ASEAN U-23 Championship, and SEA Games, giving them established chemistry.
3. Viet Nam(U23) advanced to the semifinals with a 3-2 extra-time win over United Arab Emirates(U23), thanks to Pham Minh Phuc's goal in the second half of extra time.
4. Viet Nam(U23) scored 8 goals in 4 matches this tournament, showcasing a formidable attack.
5. Viet Nam(U23) kept 2 clean sheets in their first 4 matches, demonstrating solid defensive organization.
6. Viet Nam(U23) hold advantages in both fitness and tactical preparation. The longer break allows head coach Kim Sang Sik's staff to thoroughly analyze China(U23)'s defensive tactics and penalty shootout capabilities, giving Viet Nam(U23) greater initiative in the match.
7. Viet Nam(U23) won 3 of their last 4 matches in AH, showing reliable performances against expectations.

[(China(U23)) Strength]:
1. Except for midfielder Yang Haoyu suspended due to yellow card accumulation, all 22 other China(U23) players are available for the semifinal. Yellow cards from earlier matches have been cleared, and right wing-back Bao Shimeng, injured in the first group match, is nearly fit to play.
2. According to AFC statistics, goalkeeper Li Hao has made 24 saves in this U23 Asian Cup, the most in the last four editions. Among all goalkeepers facing over 5 shots on target in a single tournament, Li Hao is the only one with a 100% save rate.
3. Among the top five highest-valued teams in this U23 Asian Cup, the top two, Saudi Arabia(U23) and Iran(U23), have been eliminated. China(U23) rank third (8.48 million euros), 2.7 times the value of Viet Nam(U23).
4. China(U23) advanced to the U23 Asian Cup semifinals by defeating Uzbekistan(U23) on penalties in the quarterfinal. Statistics show that the last time any Chinese men's national team (senior, U23, or U20/U19) reached a continental semifinal was in 2004.
5. China(U23) have not conceded a goal in regular time across 3 group matches and the quarterfinal, making them the only team in the tournament yet to concede.
6. China(U23) scored only one goal in regular time this tournament, indicating offensive struggles that need adjustment and improvement.

[(China(U23)) Neutral]:
1. China(U23) have one less day of rest than their opponents, a challenge after playing 120 minutes and a penalty shootout in the quarterfinal.
2. In competitive matches, China(U23) have never lost to Viet Nam(U23). Including friendlies, the two sides have met 8 times, with an even record of 3 wins each and 2 draws. In the past two years, they played 3 friendlies in China, where China(U23) won 2-1 in September 2024, drew 1-1 in March 2025, and lost 1-0 in November 2025.
3. China(U23)'s last 4 matches have all ended with UNDERs in O/U, reflecting a conservative style. This trend is worth monitoring in this match.
4. Australian referee Alex King will officiate the China(U23)-Vietnam(U23) match. This young AFC elite referee is familiar to Chinese football. He officiated the U20 Asian Cup quarterfinal between China(U20) and Saudi Arabia(U20) in Shenzhen last year, where China(U20) narrowly lost 1-0. His performance was considered fair, and he awarded a penalty to China(U20).

[Tips]:
The U23 Asian Cup semifinals feature a China(U23)-Viet Nam(U23) showdown.

Viet Nam(U23) advanced with an extra-time winner against United Arab Emirates(U23), winning all 4 matches so far with 8 goals scored and 2 clean sheets.

China(U23) reached the semifinals by defeating Uzbekistan(U23) on penalties, marking the first time in 20 years that a Chinese men's national team have reached the continental semifinals.

They are the only team in the tournament yet to concede a goal in regular time, although their attack has only scored once.

China(U23) hold an unbeaten record against Viet Nam(U23) in competitive matches and boast a squad value 2.7 times higher than their opponents, indicating superior strength.

Despite having one less day of rest, China(U23)'s resilient defense, historical advantage, and squad strength suggest they can avoid defeat in regular time.

[Recommended]:
China(U23) (+0/0.5)